Memorial Day observed despite restrictions

Cody is a patriotic town. Flags fly 365 days a year downtown, and the 4th of July festivities each year mark the town’s biggest celebration. So it is fitting that despite the health restrictions in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Cody Mayor Matt Hall would make sure the annual Memorial Day commemoration at the State Veteran’s Memorial just east of Cody would still take place.

“It’s a little less formal than what we have done in the past," Mayor Hall noted. "We’re certainly asking people to respect social distancing when they do show up. But personally I just felt that I wasn’t going to let the coronavirus affect our community’s resolve. It’s important for us to come out and mark the Memorial Day occasion.”

Dave Northrup is the state’s representative for House District 50. He commended both the Powell and Cody communities for their observance of a day that means so much to so many, while making sure public health considerations were in place.

“The VFW in Powell and Cody both had commemorations today at the Cody cemetery and at the Powell cemetery," he observed. "Both of them were socially distanced appropriately, and people are doing a good job of remembering what’s going on.”

And although Memorial Day is a time set aside to honor fallen military, many families have a tradition of honoring other family members that have gone before them this weekend as well.

Riverside Cemetery in Cody was a popular place Monday, with families laying flowers at the graves of their loved ones, taking a moment to remember and honor their brothers, sisters, parents and friends.

And Mayor Hall observes that especially at this time, remembering the sacrifices of others is a way to lift ourselves up.

“It’s very important, I think, for our culture, for our morale of our citizens to try and have some event for today.”